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Started working for Founder Centric. First week in the job was Pirate Summit

Keynote speech, with a panel discussion

The only female panelist: incredibly awkward position found it difficult after that to give her opinions, knowing that she’d been reduced to her looks.

I’m not a techie – and I’m working in tech

Said as if it’s a good thing

Bad to make those assumptions

E-Myth: Michael Gerber. Don’t agree with everything in the book: it’s a bit black and white

All three work together to make a startup work

I think there’s a balance to be struck here – obviously that person has to fit in the organisational culture. When I look at Tech North team, we all come from such varied backgrounds.

For those of you in the room in a position to be recruiting

Boys club of geeky techies

You don’t need to make any special exemptions, but if you don’t broaden your search you’re missing out on a wealth of talented and skilled people

Both are needed to attract diversity into tech

Girls Who Code etc

Need for role models.

Makes it more

Both are needed to attract diversity into tech

Both are needed to attract diversity into tech

Both are needed to attract diversity into tech

Both are needed to attract diversity into tech

Not a startup entrepreneur myself: FC hired me for my experience in bringing organisation to chaos. Tech North haven’t hired me because of my skills in ‘tech’ but because I am good at talking to people

So long as you can build something or contribute in a useful manner, then the doors should be open to you.

We are different from the corporate sector – we can change things, we can be a force for good in the world

Gender Diversity in Tech

3.
An inauspicious start…
From a predominantly female environment of non-
profits to boys’ club startup world of pizza & beer.
@TechNorthHQ #TechNorth @LauraIHBennett

4.
An inauspicious start…
From a predominantly female environment of non-
profits to boys’ club startup world of pizza & beer.
Advice from a prominent tech journalist to startups
on how to get investment…
@TechNorthHQ #TechNorth @LauraIHBennett

5.
An inauspicious start…
From a predominantly female environment of non-
profits to boys’ club startup world of pizza & beer.
Advice from a prominent tech journalist to startups
on how to get investment…
… “send your hottest intern.”
@TechNorthHQ #TechNorth @LauraIHBennett

7.
Jobs for women in tech?
“In our company, women outnumber men in areas
such as marketing and HR…”
@TechNorthHQ #TechNorth @LauraIHBennett

8.
Jobs for women in tech?
“In our company, women outnumber men in areas
such as marketing and HR…”
This is a misleading and limited view: no job is better
suited to one gender or another.
@TechNorthHQ #TechNorth @LauraIHBennett

9.
Jobs for women in tech?
“In our company, women outnumber men in areas
such as marketing and HR…”
This is a misleading and limited view: no job is better
suited to one gender or another.
A man OR a woman might be the best candidate for
coding, dev, management etc.
@TechNorthHQ #TechNorth @LauraIHBennett

12.
It takes all sorts
E-Myth: Entrepreneur, Technician, Manager
A variety of people are needed to make a startup
successful…
@TechNorthHQ #TechNorth @LauraIHBennett

13.
It takes all sorts
E-Myth: Entrepreneur, Technician, Manager
A variety of people are needed to make a startup
successful…
… when hiring, look further than “someone like
you.”
@TechNorthHQ #TechNorth @LauraIHBennett

15.
Recruiting women in tech
Many women are put off from applying for jobs in
tech…
@TechNorthHQ #TechNorth @LauraIHBennett

16.
Recruiting women in tech
Many women are put off from applying for jobs in
tech…
… lack of role models
@TechNorthHQ #TechNorth @LauraIHBennett

17.
Recruiting women in tech
Many women are put off from applying for jobs in
tech…
… lack of role models
… perception of tech as a male space
@TechNorthHQ #TechNorth @LauraIHBennett

18.
Recruiting women in tech
Many women are put off from applying for jobs in
tech…
… lack of role models
… perception of tech as a male space
Broaden your search! Don’t overlook 50% of the
population.
@TechNorthHQ #TechNorth @LauraIHBennett

30.
Some final thoughts…
Be confident in what YOU bring to the sector.
@TechNorthHQ #TechNorth @LauraIHBennett

31.
Some final thoughts…
Be confident in what YOU bring to the sector.
At its best, tech is very inclusive.
@TechNorthHQ #TechNorth @LauraIHBennett

32.
Some final thoughts…
Be confident in what YOU bring to the sector.
At its best, tech is very inclusive.
Tech is innovative: we have an opportunity to
shake up the status quo.
@TechNorthHQ #TechNorth @LauraIHBennett